Former Smokers May Merit Later Screening - Report - MDSpire

Former Smokers May Merit Later Screening

Cohort data suggest past-eligible former smokers retain competing mortality profiles similar to younger current-eligible smokers

  • By

  • Andrea Surnit

  • May 5, 2026

  • 5 min

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Former Smokers May Merit Later Screening

Overview

Revise to state that the study raises questions about current eligibility cutoffs without establishing a need for extended screening.

Background

Lung cancer screening is crucial for early detection and improved outcomes in high-risk populations, particularly smokers. Current guidelines often exclude former smokers who have quit for over 10 years, potentially overlooking ongoing risks. Understanding the mortality profiles of these individuals is essential for refining screening criteria and optimizing patient care.

Data Highlights

GroupMortality Rate (per 1,000 person-years)
Past-eligible men (75-80 years)33.9
Current-eligible men (70-75 years)27.7
Past-eligible women22.9
Current-eligible women22.4

Key Findings

  • Former smokers who quit over 10 years ago still have elevated mortality risks compared to never smokers.
  • Mortality hazards for former smokers vary significantly based on age at cessation, with risks increasing for those who quit later in life.
  • Absolute rates of other-cause mortality in past-eligible smokers are comparable to those in younger current-eligible smokers.
  • Longer time since cessation does not correlate with reduced lung cancer mortality when considering cumulative smoking exposure.
  • Current German lung cancer screening guidelines may need reevaluation to consider the risks of former smokers who have been smoke-free for over a decade.

Clinical Implications

Highlight the necessity for further research to confirm the implications for screening eligibility.

Conclusion

Reinforce the importance of considering competing mortality risks in screening decisions.

Related Resources & Content

  1. The ASCO Post, 2023 -- Lung Cancer Screening and Possible Unappreciated Benefits
  2. The ASCO Post, 2020 -- Quitting Smoking at Any Point Improves Lung Cancer Survival, Study Finds
  3. The ASCO Post, 2025 -- Ironically, Smoking May Have Saved My Life
  4. CDC -- Screening for Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer
  5. National Cancer Institute -- National Lung Screening Trial (NLST)
  6. PubMed -- Absolute lung cancer risk increases among individuals with >15 quit-years
  7. The ASCO Post — SIDEBAR: Ask Patients about Their Smoking Status
  8. Screening for Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | CDC
  9. National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) - NCI
  10. Absolute lung cancer risk increases among individuals with >15 quit-years: Analyses to inform the update of the American Cancer Society lung cancer screening guidelines - PubMed

Original Source(s)

Former Smokers May Merit Later Screening

  • by Andrea Surnit

  • May 5, 2026

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